Sheriff Joe Arpaio sworn in for 6th term

Joe Arpaio was sworn in Monday as Maricopa County sheriff for an unprecedented sixth term in office.

Arpaio defeated Democratic challenger Paul Penzone in the November elections. Penzone accused Arpaio's office of financial mismanagement and leveled criticism at the office for either inadequately investigating or not investigating at all hundreds of sex crimes cases.

Arpaio refused calls from critics to resign because of the botched sex crimes investigations and allegations that his office racially profiles Latinos.

"I was able to survive," Arpaio told reporters after he took the oath of office. "People believed in me."

As for his immediate goals, Arpaio said, "I want to get closer to the Hispanic community and relate to them on why we do things instead of all these demonstrators screaming all the time."

The sheriff requested that his wife of 55 years, Ava, administer the oath of office. In past years, Arpaio has been sworn in by America's Most Wanted host John Walsh in 2004. He changed the pace in 2009 when he asked to be sworn in by a new U.S. citizen from Mexico City - Jose Bello - showing his support for legal immigrants.

A number of local dignitaries and Hollywood celebrities attended the ceremony inside the sheriff's training center auditorium. Among them were actor and sheriff's posseman Steven Seagal and actress Morgan Brittany, known for her role in the hit show Dallas.